A young boy has been awarded €55,000 by the High Court after he was knocked down by a ‘noiseless’ electric car.
The boy, who was five a half years old when the incident took place, was knocked to the ground by the car in a Dublin car park, causing a fracture in his lower leg.
Counsel for the plaintiff told the court how the boy was rushed to the hospital, and was forced to missed three weeks of school as the result of his injury.
The court heard how the boy and his family were crossing the car park in October 2016 when without warning, the electric vehicle drove across the car park and collided with the child. As the car was electric, it was claimed that as it shot out of its parking spot, it made no noise upon its approach towards the boy and his family and caught them off guard.
Following the accident, the boy’s leg was encased in plaster and he underwent physiotherapy. He was also required to wear an orthopaedic boot until, as well as having to use a wheelchair due to his inability to use crutches.
Commenting on the boy’s substantial recovery, Mr Justice Kevin Cross noted that it was a very good settlement.
Seeking Legal Counsel
If you, a family member, or a loved one have been involved in an any sort of accident involving a car, it is imperative that you first and foremost ensure that you are physically sound and not suffering from any immediate injury or trauma. If you are, an ambulance should be called immediately. You should then establish where the nearest Garda station is, contacting them to inform them of the accident.
Once medical attention has been sought and the authorities have been notified, you should make note of crucial information in the event that legal action will be sought at a later date. It is important that you make note of the following:
- The registration number of the vehicle
- Details of the driver’s insurance policy (provider, policy number, renewal date etc.)
- The name and contact details of the driver
Once these steps have been followed and you feel that you have adequately recovered, both physically and mentally, from any traumatic instances involving a car and/or collision, you may be considering seeking appropriate legal counsel should you believe that you are entitled to compensation.
*In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement*